Members of the Jan Sangharsh Morcha gheraoed the Vikasnagar Tehsil in support of their demand for pension facility for Government employees and public representatives on the lines of pension provided to MlAs. leading the protesters, the JSM chief Raghunath Singh Negi submitted a memorandum addressed to the Governor of Uttarakhand, Krishan Kant Paul.
Speaking on the occasion, Negi said that since the formation of Uttarakhand State till the present, there has been a considerable increase in the pension amount provided to MlAs. He said that the state Government appears to be concerned about the welfare and interests of the MlAs facilitating pension for them after they take oath of office till the time of their term end, resignation or death.
Even if an MlA resigns from his post or expires on the next day after taking oath of office, the pension facility is provided. On the other hand there are workers with 20-30 years of work on temporary basis and less than 10 years of regular service, who do not become eligible for pension and other benefits even after rendering their services for decades. Similarly, Gram Pradhan, block Panchayat member and district Panchayat members too do not receive the pension facility. The JSM Chief further pointed out that in many instances, in case of the death of Government employee or public representatives their family members face major livelihood issues. He stressed that the JSM will continue its movement in support of the demand for pension facilities for Government employees and public representatives on the lines of the facility provided to MlAs.